WILD ON THE INSIDE

CHAPTER ELEVEN

“What happened?” she whispered groggily.

Charlie grinned. “My first time hearing you sound so soft. Let me tell you—there you were, walking like a queen in that bikini, all eyes on you. And boom! You slipped and fell into the pool. Hardin dove in like your personal superhero. He gave you the kiss of life—twice! Finally, you started breathing again, but you were out cold. So he carried you up here and dressed you. You were really out of it.”

Megan’s eyes widened, cheeks pink with embarrassment. “Say what now?”

Megan was shocked, but Charlie warned her not to overreact. “Don’t get ahead of yourself,” he said with a teasing grin. “Hardin would never undress you, even though you were literally in the room. Nikki dressed you up, although the look she gave you was… indescribable. Then she stormed out of here in tears, and Hardin followed her. But before he left, he couldn’t stop staring at you. I’m pretty sure he was just… I don’t know, Megan. It was like he was salivating, wishing you could be his. Honestly, what the hell are you two waiting for? It’s so obvious. You guys have this… thing. When I see the way you look at each other, it’s like I get butterflies in my stomach.”

“Charlie!” Megan exclaimed, still trying to process everything.

“What?” Charlie said, raising his eyebrows. “Come on, Megan. You like him, and he likes you. Why pretend otherwise?”

Megan let out a shaky breath. “When did all this happen, Charlie? The drowning part… or Nikki’s crying part?”

“Nikki’s crying and running out? Oh, that was just about five minutes ago.”

“Nikki must be mad, but… why do I care?” She shrugged. “It’s a bet, and I want to win.”

Meanwhile, in class, Nikki sat silently in her seat, tears still streaming down her face. Hardin sat beside her, but her thoughts were too tangled to even look at him. Her mind was a swirl of confusion and betrayal.

“Honey, Nikki… I’m really sorry,” Hardin whispered. “I don’t know why you’re crying, but… if I’ve offended you by kissing Megan, I’m sorry. She needed my help.”

Nikki sniffled. “I’m trying to understand you,” she said between her sobs. “But Hardin… she could have been saved by anyone else. Why did it have to be you? Tell me honestly—do you have a crush on that girl?”

Hardin looked at her, his voice soft. “Are you jealous?”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Do you think they sell jealousy in shops? Of course I’m not! I just want you to answer me.”

He sighed. “I don’t have a crush on her.”

Nikki let out a long breath. “Is that all I wanted to hear?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Hardin gave her a sad smile. “What does love mean to you, Nikki?”

She shook her head. “I don’t know… but what about you, Hardin? What does it mean to you?”

Hardin leaned back, a distant look in his eyes. “I don’t know either. I don’t think anyone has ever really loved me. But I know I’m in love with someone… She’s beautiful, and special, and… she makes me feel things I’ve never felt before.” He smiled as if he were in a daze. “Love is a beautiful thing. Sometimes it’s wrong, but you can’t help following it. It’s wanting to keep someone safe, to see them happy. It’s when you’d rather see them single than with someone who doesn’t deserve them. It’s a feeling that hits you deep in your chest, like a painting you can’t stop staring at. That’s what love is, to me.”

Nikki looked down. “Enough talk about love,” she said quietly. “Are you going to check on Megan?”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I want to come with you,” she said simply.

The two of them walked out of class together and headed to the sickbay, where Megan was lying in bed, talking to Charlie.

Megan looked up as they entered. “Megan dear,” Nikki said softly, “how are you feeling? Are you okay? Are you in pain?”

“Thanks for the sudden concern,” Megan said dryly, though her voice was calm. “I’m fine now. Just a bit of a headache.”

Nikki gently touched Megan’s forehead. “You’ll be okay, darling. Don’t worry.” Then, slowly and carefully, she leaned down and kissed Megan’s cheek. “Have a quick recovery,” she said quietly before leaving the room.

As soon as she was gone, Charlie let out a low whistle. “Just like Judas going to betray Jesus,” he said dramatically.

Megan groaned, “Oh, Charlie, stop!”